Social Question

What would happen first in your state? Legalizing marijuana or gay marriage?

These two topics are often in my mind, and it doesn’t help that I live in California; these two questions are often on the radio. But I can’t help to wonder, which would happen first, gay marriage or marijuana? We already saw the passing of Prop 8 in 2008, but now marijuana just got the thumbs up to be on the November 2010 ballot. I think it just might happen. What about where you’re from?

@fyoz Seems to be more culturally acceptable, and ask someone about finding weed in Michigan, it’s pretty tough. I’m not saying people don’t smoke it (or want to smoke it) but it’s just not as mainstream as, say, California.

@erichw1504 I would’ve said the same thing myself a few years ago. But look at our financial status. Every state is cutting programs, pinching the pennies where ever they can. Our priorities have changed a bit I think, and weed is a cash cow that looks mighty fine right now for a few states.

I live in Minnesota, and I hear far more talk about gay marriage than marijuana, at least far more optimistic talk. Whereas we have a Republican Governor who wouldn’t let either of these issues even be discussed seriously, we have a Democrat controlled legislature which seems willing to at least entertain the thought of gay marriage, whereas even they won’t touch the weed issue. All I know is, we won’t be trailblazing on either issue, Minnesota tends to do big things as a follower, not a leader.

I think California will legalize marijuana usage sooner. Not because the general public thinks marijuana is good, but because far more tax dollars will be raked in by selling marijuana than they can get by doing gay marriages.

I think in Washington the legalization of marijuana would come first, which imo is f*ing ridiculous. To be honest I don’t know why we spend calories on fighting gay marriage when we could all be working on something more important like school funding.

I’m from Portland, OR and I’m honestly not sure which will pass first. Gay marriage was legal here for a very short time, but we also have medical marijuana bars popping up here and there, throughout the city. Portland is a very liberal city, which is why I honestly have no idea which will come first.

@fyoz I just meant that it is ridiculous that gay marriage is even a legal issue, I am just amazed that anyone would spend a single second fighting it. My comment wasn’t too clear I guess, I’m all for legalizing weed though.

we already have civil partnerships in the UK, which are marriage by another name (there are some minor differences related to where the ceremony can take place and who can officiate it, but that’s just about it). So you could say that we have the marriage already.

On the other hand you can say well it’s not called marriage so it’s not marriage, and while we have civil partnerships I don’t think they’ll ever change it to actual marriage… so…

…I guess I put my money on the world ending before we get either.

I’ll put money on a total tobacco ban before we ever get legal marijuana.

Marijuana isn’t totally legal in Colorado but it seems like everyone has a medical marijuana card. There are like 5 dispensaries within a few blocks of my house. So I’d say that. I’m sure gay marriage isn’t too far off though either.